A/N: This is a short story inspired by the character Barf Bag from the
movie "Holes" with which I am completely and pathetically obsessed. The
following is, in fact, about a desperate juvenile delinquent. I leave you
with that warning plus the rating.
Stepping on a poisonous snake. On purpose. Hell, it's a better plan than anyone else in this freaking place has. I'm not as stupid as people like to think.
Gotta get out of here. I swear I wouldn't do this if I didn't have to.
But Jesus, I have to.
God, I hate every dirt-filled, dust-covered thing in the whole damn desert out here. I just gotta take the quickest way out. Not running away. Ain't water for miles. No, gotta go this way.
I remember Mama telling me it'd be a good break. "You go on now, Lou, and have yourself some fun. Better than anything I can offer you."
Well, Mama, it's been a while now, and I ain't had fun since the day I busted the window of that Mercedes. Don't remember what you look like. I know how a rattlesnake looks, though. Like hell I do.
Yeah, see one over there. Couldn't miss it. It's got those beautiful patterns on the back and that musical rattle. Salvation in the sting of a reptile. It's perfect.
I hoist myself out and throw my shovel down. Summon up enough saliva to spit into the last god-awful hole I'm ever gonna dig. I'm outta here.
Okay, concentrate. Gotta take off the boot. Sock, too. No point in doing things halfway, Mama always said. I watch the snake. Take a step toward it.
You sure I say to myself? Hell, yes. Just checking. Come on now, little fella, bite me.
Hear those clueless guys still digging in the background. Now they're calling my name. They're okay guys, but they're still here and I'll be long gone.
Not smart like me, not them. Just keep on digging those holes, boys, I'll be gone.
Stepping on a poisonous snake. On purpose. Hell, it's a better plan than anyone else in this freaking place has. I'm not as stupid as people like to think.
Gotta get out of here. I swear I wouldn't do this if I didn't have to.
But Jesus, I have to.
God, I hate every dirt-filled, dust-covered thing in the whole damn desert out here. I just gotta take the quickest way out. Not running away. Ain't water for miles. No, gotta go this way.
I remember Mama telling me it'd be a good break. "You go on now, Lou, and have yourself some fun. Better than anything I can offer you."
Well, Mama, it's been a while now, and I ain't had fun since the day I busted the window of that Mercedes. Don't remember what you look like. I know how a rattlesnake looks, though. Like hell I do.
Yeah, see one over there. Couldn't miss it. It's got those beautiful patterns on the back and that musical rattle. Salvation in the sting of a reptile. It's perfect.
I hoist myself out and throw my shovel down. Summon up enough saliva to spit into the last god-awful hole I'm ever gonna dig. I'm outta here.
Okay, concentrate. Gotta take off the boot. Sock, too. No point in doing things halfway, Mama always said. I watch the snake. Take a step toward it.
You sure I say to myself? Hell, yes. Just checking. Come on now, little fella, bite me.
Hear those clueless guys still digging in the background. Now they're calling my name. They're okay guys, but they're still here and I'll be long gone.
Not smart like me, not them. Just keep on digging those holes, boys, I'll be gone.